In between these appointments, we’ve kept busy by enjoying phone / video calls to loved ones, including time with Elaine’s brother in South Africa, Keenan in the US and Justine in England. For the most part, everyone is getting on with life as best they can under the circumstances, although lockdown fatigue is evident amongst all of us. It didn’t help matters that the MCO (Movement Control Order), which was due to expire in Malaysia today, was extended for a few States, including Penang, while others have been placed under the Conditional MCO, but with no inter-district or inter-state travel permitted across any State.
Elaine has kept herself busy by writing and painting, although bouncing around in the marina again, due to the rather brisk easterly winds, have resulted in a few clumsy strokes of the paint brush, while Roy has continued working on the Anchor Plus application and getting one or two yacht projects completed, including re-installing the water tank, although this hasn’t been filled as yet, since we need to run the other one dry so it too can be repositioned to avoid a similar fate of developing a crack.
We have also spent a little bit of time discovering aspects of the traditions associated with the Chinese New Year, which turns out to be quite a complex blend of obligations, besides rituals and celebrations. Apparently there are protocols and, if unknowingly, these are broken, can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety, since people feel offended.
Similar to Halloween, when children get excited about all the treats that they are going to accumulate or high school graduation, specifically in the US, where students expect envelopes of money from family and friends, which is supposed to be put towards their tertiary education, there is a Chinese New Year tradition that gets the children excited too; earning lots of “ang pow” money, while parents try to manage their associated budgets as the donors. However, this tradition, which literally translates as “red envelope” is one of the many joys associated with this important Spring Festival and a way for people to share wishes of good luck and prosperity.
There are a number of “rules” around “ang pow”, though, including the fact that these “red envelopes“ are only given during the 15 days of the Chinese New Year celebrations, although sometimes they are distributed during the Reunion Dinner on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Additionally, the envelopes need to be red as the name implies, but apparently pink or gold will suffice too; certainly not white, though, as this colour is reserved for sharing condolences.
“Ang pows” are always given by those from a “higher” status to those of a “lower” one, where status is usually determined by marital status and age ie married couples giving to unmarried individuals or adults giving to children. The envelopes should contain crispy, clean cash; not old notes, not a cheque, must definitely not be an inter-bank transfer and must not be an amount involving the number “4” as this is one of the most “out-of-bounds” numbers in the Chinese culture, representing death. As a side note, for this reason, Chinese will not want to stay in a hotel room with the number “4” in the room number, generally high-rise buildings will omit numbering the 4th floor and, instead, use “3A”, etc.
Furthermore, regardless of circumstances, one should not forget to give an “ang pow”, as these customs are taken very seriously and, when receiving an “ang pow”, it is to be accepted with two hands. This gesture seems to permeate throughout Malaysia, as we see it everywhere when money changes hands, even with ourselves.
The colour red, however, relates to a legend of a fierce dragon that was terrorising people in China, but was itself terrorised by the colour red. It is also a symbol of luck, good fortune, joy, and happiness. It represents celebration, vitality and fertility and is the traditional colour worn by Chinese brides to ward off evil.
For us, the red decorations and lanterns everywhere are helping to brighten up the surroundings and adding a little bit of joy during an otherwise dull circumstance in which we all find ourselves.
